English Vision
Reading
Our intent for our children when they leave Pennington Infant school is for them to be avid readers, children who read fluently and widely and are able to express preferences and opinions about the texts that they read. We want them to read for pleasure, having had access to a wide range of text types, genres and authors in order for them to make informed opinions about their favourites. Our children should have the Library skills to be able to find texts they are interesting in and excited about, but also the knowledge of how look for texts that will provide information to help them develop their thinking or answer unknown questions to support their learning. We want them to have a secure phonic knowledge that supports them to decode unknown enabling them to read a rich variety of texts. We aim to expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they able to decipher new words and then use them when speaking both informally and formally. We also aim for our children to apply all of these English skills to all areas of the curriculum.
At Pennington Infant School, our reading curriculum is implemented through a range of different means:
Reading Practise Sessions, Whole Class reading sessions and Independent reading
Teachers model how to teach reading skills at all levels using a wide range of rich texts, which are then practised and applied independently in home school reading/sharing phonics and decodable books matched to each child’s reading ability. We use Big Cat Reading Books as these link to our Little Wandle Phonics Scheme. Daily Reading Practise Sessions take place in EYFS and Year 1, focusing on decoding, prosody and comprehension.
Home reading
Additional reading support for vulnerable children
Whole class reading sessions in Year 2 focus on comprehension skills using language rich texts to promote reading for understanding and reading for pleasure. All adults in the school support children with our ‘Pennington Reading Routine’ which helps children develop their fluency by focusing on the decoding aspect of early reading.
Class texts
Every class has high quality texts that can be matched to their current topics or chosen for the comprehension domain being taught.
Phonics |
We teach phonics following Little Wandle. It is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme.
Daily phonics lessons in Reception and Year 1
Daily Keep-up lessons ensure every child learns to read
Vocabulary
We use the word aware program to encourage the use of new and varied vocabulary. This includes topic and concept words based on curricular links, class texts and everyday concepts. The vocabulary is shared with parents to promote engagement. The talk boost promotes vocabulary and discussion for those children who are in need of some support.
Ensuring reading for pleasure
‘Reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s success.’ (OECD 2002)
‘The will influences the skill and vice versa.’ (OECD 2010)
We value reading for pleasure highly and work hard as a school to grow our Reading for Pleasure pedagogy.
Impact
Assessment
Assessment is used to monitor progress and to identify any child needing additional support as soon as they need it.
Statutory assessment
Ongoing assessment for catch-up
Writing
Intent
Our intent for our children at Pennington Infant school is to develop children who write with confidence and accuracy for a variety of purposes and audiences whilst developing their own individual flair. We want our children to be able to write with grammatical accuracy and be able to apply spelling patterns correctly using a neat handwriting style. We aim to expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they able to decipher new words and then use them when speaking both informally and formally. We recognise the importance of nurturing a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of age appropriate contexts by the end of KS1. Teachers make sure the content is relevant and stimulating by delivering through themes and topics.
We also aim for our children to apply all of these English skills to all areas of the curriculum.
Implementation
The Writing Cycle
Our writing cycle is based on topic related hooks and text drivers. Topic mats, CEW word mats and phonics mats are readily available in all classes to support this process. Planning and writing session follow a 1 week, 2 weekly or 3 weekly pattern depending on the expectation of the piece of writing based on its purpose and audience. Writing tools including counters, talking tins, lolly sticks are used to support early and emerging writing skills. Children are encouraged to share their writing with peers and promote achievements. Children are given individualised next steps through marking and individual spoken feedback.
SPAG
Spelling is taught through EYFS and KS1 HFW and CEW. Common exception words are practised at home and tested weekly. Once the children have them all correct they can move on allowing for personalised progression. In Year 1 and 2 the children also practise thy words in the context of a sentence before moving onto the next set. This helps the children see how spellings and writing are not taught in isolation. Phonics spelling are taught in phonics sessions with opportunities to practise in writing sessions reinforced by using sound mats. Grammar and punctuation is taught within writing sessions for year R and 1 appropriate to the writing purpose but also planned to ensure coverage of the EYFS and year 1 national curriculum and progression statements. Year 2 also have separate grammar sessions following the year 2 national curriculum and progression statements and then apply these in writing sessions depending on the writing purpose.
Handwriting
Handwriting sessions are taught across the year groups. They are taught in letter families using the programme Kinetic Letters. By the end of year 1 some children will begin to join but ensuring all other progression statements are met first. In year 2 all children will be taught to join but differentiating for those children who still cannot form all their letters correctly based on the progression statements for year 2.
Vocabulary
Working walls are updated linked to these genres and topics allowing the children to make independent choices in their own writing. Vocabulary is promoted through displays within the classroom and the use of topic vocabulary mats enhancing and encouraging their wider use of vocabulary.
Writing is displayed throughout the school in classrooms and shared areas to encourage pride in work and to show that all the work is valued.
Whole class texts
Every year group has high quality texts that is selected from a database of text drivers or recommended book lists. Writing work is then planned and delivered through the context of this text or topic.
Impact
Pupil voice
Through discussion and feedback, children talk enthusiastically about writing and understand the importance of this subject. They can also talk about different types of writing and their purpose.
Evidence in knowledge
Pupils can make links between texts and the different themes and genres within them and begin to apply them to their writing. They can recognise similarities and differences. Children understand the writing process at their own level.
Evidence in skills
Children are taught writing progressively and at a pace appropriate to each individual child. Teachers subject knowledge ensures that skills taught are matched to National Curriculum objectives.
Outcomes
At the end of each year we expect the children to have achieved Age Related Expectations (ARE) for their year group. Some children will have progressed further and achieved greater depth (GD). Children who have gaps in their knowledge receive appropriate support and intervention.
Assessment and Monitoring
At Pennington Infants assessment and monitoring comes in many forms. These include:
-lesson observations, book monitoring and learning walks;
-skills progressing throughout the school is evident in children’s books;
-gathering pupil voice through pupil interviews;
-moderating pupils work in school and in cluster meetings with other schools to ensure accurate assessments are made;
-tracking pupils’ progress each term and this informs planning and any intervention needed;
-pupil progress meetings ensure different groups (including EAL, PP and SEND) and individual progress is monitored, and interventions organised to support good and better progress;
-parents and carers will understand how they can support spelling, vocabulary, reading and writing and contribute regularly to home learning;
-monitoring is also used to identify gaps in the curriculum that may need to be addressed across the school, or within individual year groups.
Monitoring is an ongoing cycle, which is used productively to provide the best possible English curriculum for our children and to ensure it is inclusive to all.